spacetoday.net: Spacewalkers complete Harmony installation

Posted: Sun, Nov 25, 2007, 10:10 AM ET (1510 GMT)
ISS EVA on 2007 Nov 24 (NASA)

Two spacewalking astronauts finalized the installation of the Harmony module at its permanent location at the ISS, while also finding additional damage to a key solar panel joint. Peggy Whitson and Dan Tani spent just over seven hours outside the ISS, starting at 4:50 am EST (0950 GMT), working to complete the primary goal of completing coolant and other connections between Harmony and Destiny, similar to work they performed during an EVA Tuesday. During the EVA they also inspected the Solar Alpha Rotary Joint on the starboard side of the truss, a joint where damage had been detected during an earlier spacewalk. The astronauts found additional metal shavings in the joint, indicating the damage to the joint was more serious that previously suspected. There are no immediate plans to repair the joint, although such work will need to be done by early next year to ensure the panels on that part of the station can generate enough power to support the new European and Japanese lab modules that will soon be added.